Novartis Focus on China OTC Business

October 30, 2007, the chairman of Beijing Novartis Pharma Ltd. Liu Zhenxian said Novartis China would continue to increase OTC products, convert smoking cessation products Nicotinell to OTC products, recover the sales commission of Lamisil form GSK, and introduce new types of OTC drug. Beijing Novartis planed to increase the ratio of China OTC business from 10% to 1/3 in 3 to 5 years.

From the end of 2006, Novartis had made all-round plan for the development of the OTC business, and set up a separate OTC division. Novartis China OTC Division is a relatively independent business, including sectors of market, HR, finance, drugs registration, business. The division was managed by Liu Zhenxian.

It is learned that Novartis China Nicotinell had been converted from prescription drugs into OTC. Novartis China will pay more attention to multi-level sale channels, including hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets.

Originally Posted: China Business Daily
Author: Angulo Fu